And on January 9, 2017, it was finally revealed that Twin Peaks' all-important return date will be Sunday, May 21, with a two-hour premiere. It will also go on Showtime's streaming services on May 21 – along with episodes three and four!

Plus. new photos from the actual episodes have also dropped, including a sneak peek at David Duchovny reprising his role as DEA Agent Denise Bryson – who was one of the first trans characters on US TV 25 years ago.

Twin Peaks 2017 plot: what the hell is going on?

"Twenty-five years [after Dale Cooper's investigation of the murder of Laura Palmer], the FBI gets hold of a box it won't divulge the provenance of. In the box, a huge dossier," it reads.

"A female FBI agent is tasked to analyse all the documents inside, and everything related to the strange town of Twin Peaks. She also has to determine the identity of the person who compiled the dossier.

"Along the way, she discovers secrets about the lives of the town's residents, but also investigative reports from Dale Cooper, who has since vanished, newspaper clippings, an autopsy report, and other classified information.

"What happened since the death of the young woman? And why did an anonymous 'archivist' compile such a thorough dossier on Twin Peaks and its origins?"

Twin Peaks cast: who is returning?

"Those who want to see old faces, and those would like to see new faces, none of them will be disappointed," promises Frost. "Hopefully everybody's story will get some attention."

"I'm very excited to return to the strange world of Twin Peaks," Kyle MacLachlan said way, way back in January 2015 when he confirmed his return as Special Agent Dale Cooper. "May the forest be with you." (Showtime president David Nevins added that "he'll be leading the show".)

Twin Peaks episodes: how many will there be?

When the news was first confirmed, we were told that there would be nine episodes. After the wrangling between Lynch and Showtime, there will now be a Grande helping of Peaks.

Showtime president David Nevins explained: "David will direct the whole thing which will total more than the originally announced nine hours.

"This damn fine cup of coffee from Mark and David tastes more delicious than ever. Totally worth the extra brewing time and the cup is even bigger than we expected."

The exact number of episodes wasn't confirmed officially, but cast members Sheryl Lee (Laura Palmer) and Sherilyn Fenn (Audrey Horne) told fans at Crypticon Seattle that we could expect an 18-episode season. Later on, key cast member Ray Wise also appeared to confirm that.

However, Showtime finally announced in January 2017 that there will indeed be 18 episodes, when Nevins spoke at the Television Critics Association winter press tour. The season premiere will be two episodes long.

Could there be Twin Peaks season four?

"We've learned never to say never. Anything is a possibility," Frost teased. "I wouldn't think it will take us 25 years to decide the next time around."

Is David Lynch directing the new Twin Peaks?

Despite that false start, yes he is. The TV show had many guest writers and directors (Diane Keaton even helmed a season two episode), but this is very much a Lynch/Frost production.

"We pledged right then and there that we were going to write it ourselves, and David said he wanted to direct all of them," Frost said. "And we'll produce them together."

Have they finished filming the new Twin Peaks yet?

Pre-production started soon after Lynch and Showtime kissed and made up and shooting started properly in September. In January 2016 it was confirmed that Lynch was "more than halfway through" filming the revival. Shooting was then said to be wrapped in mid-April 2016.

Is the Double R Diner coming back to Twin Peaks?

Also at Crypticon Seattle, it was announced that Twede's Cafe in North Bend, WA, will return as the original Double R Diner set.

Pictures on Twitter have confirmed that the old RR has been restored to its former glory.

Do you need to have watched all of the original Twin Peaks?

Frost acknowledges the "passionate and dedicated and committed" Peaks fanbase and expresses his gratitude for them "keeping the flames alive".

"At the same time we hope a whole bunch of people want to come to the party as well," he said.

Given the nature of Twin Peaks, we advise you catch up before 2016. Showtime will repeat seasons one and two in the run-up to the new episodes to help out.

Will Twin Peaks season three have a proper ending?

We at Digital Spy think that Twin Peaks ended perfectly, and for all its flaws, so did Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me.

But for the rest of you, Mark Frost hopes you'll be left feeling more satisfied. "It's our hope that these episodes will give the fans everything they felt they hadn't gotten the last time we left off."

He added: "I think there will be a lot of things that people have wanted to know over the years that if they pay close attention, they are going to be satisfied."